Is There a God of War 4 Tease in God of War: Ascension?

Even though it was just released for the PS3 two days ago, we all knew what God of War: Ascension was: A stop-gap. A place-holder. The bread you get for free at the restaurant while you wait for your meal. Of course, the meal would be God of War 4, which we all assume is coming at some point to the PlayStation 4.

But who am I to complain? I love any time I get to spend with Kratos, the greatest cartoon character in video game history. Call of Duty features boring marines or whatever killing boring terrorists. God of War is about a man killing not only MINOTAURS but also THE GODS THEMSELVES. And the best part is he's always UNNECESSARILY angry about it.

PICTURED: Kratos' downstairs neighbor asks him to turn his music down.
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But we might have already been teased about God of War 4. Check it out — early-ish in the game, Kratos finds a painting of a castle and a mountain, and beneath it an odd code along with the message "Of all the prophecies I have seen, this one haunts my dreams/The full truth of this nightmare yet remains hidden". Once you crack the code and solve the room's puzzle — there's a detailed explanation on how to do so at IGN right here— the painting changes.

As though that's how PAINTINGS work.
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"When the Earth stops, the journey begins?" Does that mean that, four games into the series, the journey hasn't even started? Kratos has literally spent that time killing GODS. What else Kratos is going to have to kill if the GODS were just a starting point? I mean, what's more powerful than the GODS?

In God of War 4, Kratos will have to kill the power of an IDEA.
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This is such an awesome way to tease a new God of War. What could the prophecy mean? What would make the Earth stop turning? The whole thing is a big mystery, and I think that's brilliant. Ever since Lost and Cloverfield, mystery has been the best way to sell me not just movies and video games, but really anything. I mean, I'd be much more inclined to buy a paper towel if it could figure out a way to intrigue me.

"Now with ten percent more DARK REVELATIONS than other leading brands."
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Does this kind of cryptic tease make you roll your eyes? Or does it make you more excited for a future sequel? Let me know on twitter @mikeyfromsu or in the comments below!